§ Mr. Cocksasked the Secretary of State for War what are the present conditions under which soldiers serving abroad are permitted to send home a certain number of free gift parcels; and whether they are advised that Customs Duties will be charged if certain articles are included.
§ Sir J. GriggSoldiers serving abroad may send home, free of duty and Purchase Tax, parcels to the total value of £12 in a year. Special labels in denominations of £2, £4, £6 and £8 are provided for this purpose, and issued to the soldier by his unit. They must be countersigned by an officer before despatch. Commands abroad have been given instructions to ensure that all ranks are aware of this privilege. This is done by them through Routine Orders, and in some cases also through the Forces papers. Commands have also been advised of the rates of duty and tax chargeable on articles sent home in parcelsnot bearing the duty free label, and instructions have been issued that these shall be made known to the troops through similar channels.